RB Announces Plans for Further Investment in the Mead Johnson Facility in Evansville

Driven by a purpose of creating healthier lives and happier homes while making a difference in the communities where it operates, RB announced today that it plans to invest $25 million to update and further increase capabilities and capacity at the Mead Johnson Nutrition facility in Evansville, with plans to create 95 new jobs in Southwest Indiana over the next five years.

“In today’s global economy, we are committed to building Indiana’s international connections and cultivating opportunities to attract new investment and jobs to the state,” Governor Eric J. Holcomb said. “As a British company with operations around the world, we are excited to welcome RB to the Indiana team as they revitalize the Mead Johnson facility in Evansville, providing good careers for Hoosiers and creating a better quality of place in southwest Indiana.”

RB is a global health and hygiene company and maker of popular consumer goods including Lysol, Mucinex, and Air Wick, which added infant nutrition brands to its health portfolio when it acquired Mead Johnson in June 2017, welcoming Evansville employees to its ranks. Since the acquisition, RB has worked to redevelop and revitalize the 44 acres of land that the facility was built on more than 100 years ago.

“Because of the support of the city of Evansville and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, RB is proud to be able to make additional investments in this vital facility that has employed nearly 800 Hoosiers over several generations,” said Art Pike, RB site director, Evansville Supply Center. “The Evansville facility is a significant manufacturing site for RB, and we are honored to continue the legacy of Mead Johnson as a partner in this community.”

According to Steve Braun, senior vice president, RB Health, R&D, “In addition to investing $11 million dollars to improve operational efficiencies and more effectively utilize buildings located at its 1.2 million-square-foot manufacturing site, RB’s rehabilitation project will create new quality job opportunities in southwest Indiana.”

It will also help the company achieve two important goals: first, to maintain its role as a global leader in pediatric nutrition; and second, to reduce overall costs associated with developing and manufacturing science-based pediatric nutrition products, therefore allowing the Evansville site to remain competitive.

“RB’s plans to update the former Mead Johnson Nutrition Company facility are impressive and will serve as a model for the revitalization of other industrial and corporate complexes in the region,” said Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke. “And while the project will be an economic boost to our city, it will also greatly enhance community pride.”

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered RB up to $1.25 million in conditional tax credits based on the company’s job creation plans. Evansville City Council is considering additional incentives at the request of Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville.

Indiana is home to 80 British companies across the state, making the U.K. Indiana’s second-largest European investor and third-largest globally. Together, these companies, including RB, Rolls-Royce, British Petroleum, BAE Systems, and Tate & Lyle, support more than 12,400 jobs across the state.

About RB
RB is the global leading consumer health, hygiene, and home company. Driven by a purpose to build healthier lives and happier homes, RB has operations in over 60 countries. From the foundations of wellness and infant nutrition to the fundamentals of a hygienic home, our global brands help people live healthier, happier lives. RB has world-leading Powerbrands which include household names such as Enfamil, Nutramigen, Nurofen, Strepsils, Gaviscon, Mucinex, Durex, Scholl, Clearasil, Lysol, Dettol, Veet, Harpic, Cillit Bang, Mortein, Finish, Vanish, Calgon, Woolite and Air Wick. RB’s unique culture is at the heart of its success. Its drive to achieve, passion to outperform and commitment to quality and scientific excellence is manifested in the work of over 40,000 RB employees worldwide.

About Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville
The Growth Alliance leads Vanderburgh County’s economic development efforts assisting companies with growth plans in and into Vanderburgh County. The Growth Alliance manages many initiatives, including investment-based tax incentives for new and existing companies, management of Evansville’s business incubator–Innovation Pointe; fostering entrepreneurship in Vanderburgh County. For more information about the Growth Alliance, visit growthallianceevv.com.

Media Contacts: 
Lynn Kenney (RB) – 973.404.2494 or Lynn.Kenney@rb.com 
Ella Johnson-Watson (City of Evansville) – 812.436.4962 or ejohnsonwatson@evansville.in.gov
Erin Sweitzer (IEDC) – 317.296.2556 or esweitzer@iedc.in.gov